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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


                                 June 9, 1999




Post Properties, Inc.
One Riverside
4401 Northside Parkway
Suite 800
Atlanta, Georgia  30327-3057

Re:      Post Properties, Inc. -- Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have acted as counsel for Post Properties, Inc., a Georgia
corporation (the "Company") in connection with the preparation of a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating
to the offering pursuant to the Post Properties, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment
Plan, as set forth in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement
(the "Prospectus"), of 750,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, par value
$.01 per share ("Common Stock") of the Company.

                  In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied
upon such records, documents, certificates and other instruments as in our
judgment are necessary or appropriate to form the basis for the opinions
hereinafter set forth. In all such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness
of signatures on original documents and the conformity to such original
documents of all copies submitted to us as certified, conformed or photographic
copies, and as to certificates of public officials, we have assumed the same to
have been properly given and to be accurate. As to matters of fact material to
this opinion, we have relied upon statements and representations of
representatives of the Company and of public officials.

                  This opinion is limited in all respects to the federal laws of
the United States of America and the laws of the States of Georgia, and no
opinion is expressed with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction or any
effect which such laws may have on the opinions expressed herein. This opinion
is limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be
inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein.

                  Based upon the foregoing, and the other limitations and
qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

                        (i) The Company is a corporation validly existing and,
         based solely on a certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of
         Georgia, in good standing under the laws of the State of Georgia;

                        (ii) Upon the due authorization of the issuance of the
         Shares and the issuance and sale thereof as described in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus, such Shares will be validly
         issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

         The opinions set forth above are subject, as to enforcement, to (i)
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws
relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and
(ii) general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is
considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

                  This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no
obligation to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that
come to our attention or changes in law that occur which could affect the
opinions contained herein. This letter is being rendered solely for the benefit
of the Company in connection with the matters addressed herein. This opinion may
not be furnished to or relied upon by any person or entity for any purpose
without our prior written consent.

                  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit
to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus that is included in the Registration
Statement.

                                Very truly yours,

                                /s/ King & Spalding